Happy Birthday, Gary McIntosh!

Today we are celebrating the birthday of my friend and mentor, Dr. Gary McInstosh. Happy Birthday, Gary! Gary is an internationally known professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership. He combines a thorough knowledge of how churches grow with a desire to see people saved and assimilated into local churches. This has resulted in him becoming an in-demand expert on the … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Grow Your Church in 2018 – New Webinar Next Week

What church growth barriers are you struggling with right now? Why not make 2018 the year you break through them — and realize God’s great vision for your church! I’d like to help you break down those pesky growth barriers with a practical, proven road map to accelerating your church growth. That’s why you’re invited to join me next week … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Donald McGavran on Church Growth

“Church growth follows where Christians show faithfulness in finding the lost. The purpose is not to search, but to find…Church growth follows where the lost are not merely found but restored to normal life within the fold…When existing Christians, marching obediently under the Lord’s command and filled with his compassion, fold in the wanderers and feed the flock, then churches … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Happy Birthday, Donald McGavran

Happy 120th Birthday to Donald McGavran! Donald McGavran was one of the premier missiologists of the twentieth century and considered the father of the Modern-Day Church Growth Movement. He is the single most influential thinker on how we do ministry today. I never met Dr. McGavran. But I discovered his wisdom through those who came after him — through books … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

11 Reasons Churches Lose Momentum and Decline

Today’s guest post comes to us from Richard Frazer for ChurchCentral.com. Max De Pree wisely stated that the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. It is often the most difficult thing to do as well. Churches have to directly face the reasons for decline and confront that which has been holding them back. Though there are numerous … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

5 Church Growth Essentials from the Apostle Paul

Today’s guest post comes to us from Charles Stone for ChurchLeaders.com. When I was in seminary, Church Growth 101 was a required course. I took interest in the whole field and became a student of church growth. I read a pile of books and attended most of the big church growth conferences. Some of the principles I’ve applied have worked. … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

The Time to Start Your Easter Planning is NOW

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking there’s a lot of time between today and Easter, now that it’s in April this year. But I’m raising the flag to tell you that NOW is time to start planning! Here are some tips to help you start preparing to double on Easter: Start praying for your Easter service now. Don’t wait … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Study: Conservative Doctrine as Church Growth Strategy

Today’s guest blog comes to us from Owen Strachan for Patheos.com. The best way to grow a church is to hold conservative theology, and preach it. At least that’s what a recent Washington Post article states. David Millard Haskell (professor at Wilfrid Laurier University) just reported his peer-reviewed research on Canadian churches for the Post, here’s what he found (emphasis … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Donald McGavran on Church Growth

“Church growth follows where Christians show faithfulness in finding the lost. The purpose is not to search, but to find…Church growth follows where the lost are not merely found but restored to normal life within the fold…When existing Christians, marching obediently under the Lord’s command and filled with his compassion, fold in the wanderers and feed the flock, then churches … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth

Remembering Peter Wagner – Part 1 of 2

10 days ago today as I was returning home from my 2-Day Assimilation Intensive I heard the news: Peter Wagner is with the Lord. As I was traveling, I was in touch with several mutual friends who all knew Dr. Wagner and we had a nice time reminiscing and talking about his influence on our life. For me, his primary … Read More


Nelson SearcyChurch Growth